Crime Climbs In Precinct After Quiet Weeks

After weeks of relatively low numbers, crime bounced back in the last week of January, according to the most recent COMPSTAT release

There were almost as many major crimes committed between Jan. and Jan. 29 than there were in the previous three weeks of the year combined.

Leading the way were grand larcenies, with more than 16 committed during that seven-day period. That number is a big bounce compared to the 10 committed during the same period last year.

Despite that bounce, there have been fewer grand larcenies committed this year than there were through the same date in 2011.

There were five burglaries committed, as well as three felony assaults, which had been a big problem the previous week.

So far this year, the biggest increase in the 112 Precinct has occurred among assaults, with nine recorded through the first month of the year, compared to just three in 2011.

The only drop in major crimes occurred among auto thefts. There was only one reported in the precinct, cutting in half the number from the same period last year.

, Precinct Council President Heidi Chain acknowledged that crime had been on the rise in the area, and that people should be on their guard, particularly against instances of grand larceny like cell phone and wallet theft.

One problem that Chain feared could be coming to Forest Hills, she said, was phone snatchings by criminals riding bicycles.

While there haven’t been any recorded incidents in the 112 Precinct so far this year, Chain admitted, a recent meeting with the head of Patrol Borough Queens North has her on guard.

For more information on local crimes, consult the COMPSTAT PDF attached to this article.